Belgium Euthanasia Deaths Vastly Underreported

A study recently published in the British Medical Journal reveals that almost half of the euthanasia deaths in the Flanders region of Belgium were not reported as required by law. A different study published by CMAJ in May of 2010 concludes that 32% of euthanasia deaths in that same region were without the request or consent of the patient.

When laws are proposed to legalize euthanasia or assisted suicide, they are “sold” by proponents as allowing acts of individual “choice” with sufficient “safeguards” to protect patients. Choice goes out the window when consent is not obtained. Supposed safeguards rarely, if ever, adequately protect patients from potential abuse or overreach by family members, medical professionals or government agencies.

These studies from Belgium are another indication of how, once a law is passed, criteria is expanded for who will get euthanasia, and oversight becomes lax.

Read the British Medical Journal article here.

Read the CMAJ article here.

Barbara Lyons